E V R Periyar Quotes & Sayings

You cannot expect any rational thought from a religious man. He is like a rocking log in water . — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Any opposition not based on rationalism or science or experience will one day or other, reveal the fraud, selfishness, lies and conspiracies. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Man is equal to man. There should not be exploitation. One should help the other. No one should harm anybody. Generally there should be no room for grievance or complaint from anybody. Everyone should live and let others live, with a national spirit. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

There is no use of simply acquiring titles or amassing wealth if one has no self-respect and scientific knowledge . — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

People are talking high of Thiruvalluvar. But in practice they do not respect his teachings. They act against him and disregard him. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Decide for yourselves as to what you should thing of those who say there is God, that he is the preserver of justice and that he is the protector of all, even after seeing the practice of untouchablity in the form of man being banned from human sight and contact, from walking into the streets, from entering the temples and drawing water from a tank, is rampant in the land, and yet that land is not spared from being razed by an earthquake, burnt by the fiery lava of a volcano, engulfed in a deluge from the ocean, submerged in the chasm of the earth, or fragemented by thunder-storm. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

If god is the root cause for our degradation destroy that god. If it is religion destroy it. If it is Manu Darma, Gita, or any other Mythology (Purana), burn them to ashes. If it is temple, tank, or festival, boycott them. Finally if it is our politics, come forward to declare it openly. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Religious devotion is for the individual. Character is for all. There is no loss if there is no devotion. Everything is lost if there is no character. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Till the end of my life, I shall never canvas for a vote. I shall not even expect a word of praise from any quarter. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Capitalists control the machineries. They create difficulties to the workers. Consequently rationalism , which has to lead the way for peaceful life to all, has resulted in causing poverty and worries to the people because of dominating forces — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

We do not need to explain how the Aryans entered and settled in the Dravidian country, and subjugated and oppressed the Dravidians. Nor do we need to explain how before the Aryans entered the Dravidian country, the Dravidian country had a civilization and arts of the highest rank. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Why should anyone, in the name of caste, be considered lowly or be made to do a mean job?. If all in the country are given education, can there exist a caste for doing mean work? It is not because of lack of education that those people are constrained to do contemptible work and are considered lowly? — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Whomsoever I love and hate, my principle is the same. That is, the educated, the rich and the administrators should not suck the blood of the poor. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

The proper task of social reform is to remove poverty from society and to ensure that people do not sell their conscience to make a living. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

To discard what is unwanted, and to retain what is needed, is what reform means. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Only education, self-respect and rational qualities will uplift the down-trodden. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

The duty and the responsibility of a rationalist is to thoughtfully and promptly carry out his actions, in fraternal affection, without considering country, language, God, religion and caste. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

There is no god, there is no god, there is no god at all. He who invented god is a fool. He who propagates god is a scoundrel. He who worships god is a barbarian. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Wisdom lies in thinking. The spear-head of thinking is rationalism — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

The number of those who do selfless public service and those who serve without expecting any return, should increase. Their sterling qualities should show the way to the people at large. Their life would be a model to show how man should conduct himself in public life. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

A male has the right to wander about as he pleases. He has the right to marry any number of girls. This practice has led to prostitution. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Village reform is not merely cleaning the roads, constructing schools and worshipping monasteries. It is not mere celebration of festivals. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Every one has the right to refute any opinion. But no one has the right to prevent its expression. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Without any reason or basis, untouchability has been created as a result of caste. It is foolish to think of abolishing untouchability, in the face of the continuance of caste. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Many crores of rupees are squandered in this country by way offering gratitude to God and bribing Him to gain greater and greater wealth. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Foreigners are sending messages to the planets. We are sending rice and cereals to our dead fore-father through the Brahmins. It is a wise deed? — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

While all men are born as equals, to say that Brahmins alone are the highest and all others are low as Pariah (the Untouchables ) or Panchama is sheer nonsense. It is roguish to say so. It is a big hoax played on us — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Women in India experience much worse suffering, humiliation and slavery in all spheres than even the untouchables. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

By helping the poor, we must be able to remove their poverty. But extending help to one here and one there in the form of providing food will not remove poverty. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

I will not subject you to a restraint, in the manner of scriptures and ancient works, by stating that you should trust what I say, that my words are apocalyptic; and that if you do not believe me, you will become atheists and go to hell. If what I say is not agreeable to your instinct, knowledge, experience and inquiry, reject it. — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy